Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright

Chicago, April 27, 1904

I have yours of 24th. I think that Mr. Hollands must refer to some letter written
since I saw him in England a year ago, and which has failed to reach you. The
previous correspondence was in February, June, and November 1902 and the information
then sent has been used by him.

I have heard nothing more as to the proposed French prize for aviation, but
I have a letter from Capt. Ferber 4 who says that Archdeacon has begun his experiments
in gliding near Berck. No great progress had been made up to the 14th. Ferber
himself could only cover 9 meters, and a pupil of his, Mr. Voisin, did somewhat
better and hovered for 5 1/4 seconds at one time. Ferber naively remarks that
he is surprised that you are not ready to sell him a motor machine, but he does
not mention that he is now building a new one of his own. That is stated in
L'Aerophile which says it is to be of 50 square meters' surface, to weigh 225
kilos, with a motor of 10 horsepower. Archdeacon is also said to contemplate
a motor machine. I should expect such premature attempts to come to grief and
make a market for your patents.